Hello everybody: I have an update on my question I asked you alls opinion on about a month ago?

I asked every one's opinion last month about if if would be appropriate to ask my pain mgmt doc about a change in my meds because while they still work somewhat, they were not working as well as they use to, to control my chronic scoliosis pain. I was very blessed with so many of you answering my question so quickly and offering your opinions and support, so I thought I would update you all as to the outcome and I have another question.

Yesterday I had my appt with my PM doc, and let him know that while the Opana ER 20 mg is the best extended release drug that I had ever been on, it no longer lasted the full 12 hrs like it did when I first started on it. He then examined my back and was astonished at how inflamed the right side of my back was compared to how it looked the prior 2 months before when he last saw me and feels that my scoliosis is getting worse. So he upped my Opana ER 20 mg from taking 2 a day every 12 hrs to taking 3 a day and advised me to stick w/the Percocet 10 mg, up to 5 a day for breakthrough pain.

Now this is where I have a question. He also wants to set me up for a series of epidural steroid injections. I have read positive as well as negative feedback. So I would be very appreciative to hear from any of you that have underwent epidural steroid injections for your back pain, good results as well as bad.

Thank you in for advance for sharing your experiences about this procedure with me.

Responses (8)

unless your gonna get a script fort he rest of your life dont get an increase because your gonna become more dependent on them so when the next dose stops workin cause it will your dependency will increase be careful

If this current treatment works, you may be able to decrease the pain meds, but for god's sake and your health and quality of life, stay as pain free as you can. Remember, being in constant pain will adversely effect your immune system and hence your health. NEVER, NEVER be in pain when it can be avoided, it's not only stupid, it's REALLY BAD SCIENCE!!! And yes, many people are on pain meds for years, but they live longer and better lives.

Regarding the epidurals: they never did help me but I know others have found them useful. Unfortunately you do have to play the game. Your doctor did give you an increase in meds but ethically, and very likely for insurance purposes too, he needs to show that he is trying everything possible to treat the underlying problem rather than just the symptoms. And you don't want to get in the position of looking like you just want the pain meds and don't want to do anything to help yourself. I'm not saying that is what you are doing, but to an outside observer that can appear to be so if it becomes a series of you turning down interventional help. You may need to just have the epidurals to establish whether they help you or not and to establish that you are a compliant patient that does everything possible to treat her symptoms with things other than drug therapy. Doctors have a tough road to go with the pain meds.

They are constantly being pressured to get patients off the meds and to keep doses low so the DEA doesn't start flagging them as a potential problem. I don't know if this helps you or not, ultimately you are the patient and it is your body. I'm just trying to show you things out of your control that unfortunately can effect your treatment in the future. Best wishes! EJ

I have not had the injections in my back but have had them in my foot. They helped though I had to have several. If the inflammation is the problem, then by all means give it a try. You have nothing to lose. The only drawback that I was told is that it can adversely effect bone. You might discuss trying an non steroidal anti inflammatory oral medication first. There are numerous on the market and may just do the trick. It would honestly be better to be on an anti inflammatory and/or the injections then to be on the opiates in higher and higher doses.

as others have posted ,to some the injection help and to others it didn't help!they helped me for a while until my back got so bad i had to have surgery again on it!in the end i had 3 more surgeries on my back !and wished i could get the injections again but due to scarring on my back (from so many injections )i can't !bbut i felt they really helped my back !hope you find relief from your pain and that you find the right thing to do about your back!i know it's scary when your back hurts !but theres hope that your doc's can help you ease the pain!!always be honest with your doc about your pain and the meds they give you!

this is just my opinion because I am still very sick,, I have been on Opana the doctor started me out at 15mg then had to go to 30mg and then had to give me 3-40mg. tablets every 8 hours, it is a medicine that helps but when it stops working then I don't know, I am off the Opana now and back to Dilaudid' (it's short acting) but It seems to last longer without having to increase it so quick, the pharmacist told me Opana can really depress your respiratory rate and as sick as I got the doctor and the pharmacist were both concerned about me staying on Opana, Now I am not shooting Opana down because what works for one person just doesn't do the job for another whatever you do I think you should monitor how it works from one month to the next, evaluate the opinions, keep a written log I know when I get in horrid pain and things get better I tend to forget so I keep a written log. I wish you only the very best Caringsonbj (Billy)

I have had lots of these injections, and personally for me they did not help at all. Since they do seem to help some people, it may be worth a try. Remember tho' it's only a temporary solution. If your back is as bad as you say, I don't believe it's a lasting treatment. It is not true that havubg to keep upping your dose will make you an addict. Peolple become tolerant of a dose when they have chrontic pain after taking it for so long. Therefore the increase is needed. You have to have an addictive personality to become an addict. These are just my thoughts...

I have had my nerves burned under a MRI live and also the injections with medication and steriods too. It was the best thing ever; I have twenty three inches of hardware two rods and several screws. So dont have the surgery as it doesnt do anything other than increase the need for pain meds. I felt better before surgery than i do now. Injections and nerve burning is the way to start, Let the Dr try and see where it takes you. By the way as long as you take the meds prescribed you will be fine. So dont take them sooner and or more than needed and they will continue to treat you like a human being. Best of luck to you.

Slydoe, I've had epidural steroid injections, by an anesthesiologist, they worked great. It was a series of three shots. You should also consider asking him for oral prednisone (corticosteroids). The prednisone will be carried in the blood stream to all of the inflamed tissue and greatly dampen the inflammation or even eliminate it. The epidural will only 'cool' the nerves causing the pain. It appears to me that lessening the inflammation will then have a significant impact both on present pain and the return of pain after the epidural. The epidural should only be given (total of 3 shots usually over 3 weeks) by a qualified anesthesiologist, and the oral prednisone should probably start around 10 to 15 mg. and not go above 20 mg., and then tapered as quickly as possible. You should also be closely monitored by your doctor (weekly?), and there are lab tests that should be given that can evaluate the levels of inflammation at the beginning of treatment and then to monitor the success (or not) of the treatment as it proceeds. good luck, ross1776